The Truth
Single Driver Monitors for Drummers?
by A. Belloise
First let me say that we have
the lowest cost single driver monitors on the planet...$160! (shameless
plug)
I have heard of an upstart dealer (not a lab) trying to push single driver
monitors to drummers stating they have "super low end"
and "why pay more if all monitors produce the same frequencies"...I think this
might be a bit unscrupulous and
of course terribly misleading so being a drummer and being able to test all
driver configurations as well having a basic
understanding of principles of audio I think I can chime in on this subject and
shed some light on the matter.
UPDATE 2/19/11
Well now that "dealer" is also selling dual drivers too....all the "single
drivers are the greatest" jargon
has been removed from the site...I guess those duals will be the greatest thing
ever now! lol
A recent email we received:
|
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2010 1:32 PM To: <sales@alienears.com> Subject: Single Drivers Hey Guys, I bought single driver monitors from a company that pushes them as being "great" for drummers. After receiving them I realized that the kick drum and bass that I put thru it sounds like paper and bottom out completely. Is it possible to upgrade them to your triple driver with dual low end and if so how much? Will I need to send impressions? Thanks, Bill
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 1:48 PM Bill,
Call us and we can get the ball rolling.... |
Is it true....
Does a Single Driver really have all the frequencies
of the dual and even
triple
driver monitors?
Drum roll please......
Yes (yeah!) but No (boo....)
Single driver monitors specs might show that it
has the same frequencies
response
but the problem isn't the frequencies its how they are reproduced.
(ask your friendly neighbor soundman about this)
For the sound engineers in the audience...does an old Peavey
SP1 cabinet
sound as good as a Clair Brothers line array?
No....Well why not....they basically
reproduce the same frequencies!
car buffs analogy: a Pinto should drive as good as a
corvette...they both have wheels and a motor!
I always try to explain monitor drivers like PA systems:
Single Driver Monitors are like a full range
cabinet you use
at a gig with a 12" (or 15") woofer and a horn in it...mounted on an ultimate support stand.
They sound o.k. but try putting kick and bass in it...you overdrive and blow the speakers
and it sounds like.............well you get the picture. (see email above)
Dual Driver Monitors...now add
a 1000w 18"
sub cabinet and a crossover to that full range box
and all of a sudden your moving a little air...presto...kick and bass return!
Vocals, guitar, keyboards and drums now a ton more clarity because the
higher frequencies
are being routed to just the full range cabinet and
low end is being pumped thru the 18's making your kick and all the low end
fatter.
Triple Driver Monitors (dual low end model)....now
add two more 1000w 18's to that PA system
and now your pushing the walls back! People are dancing now (at least inside
your head)
Triple Driver Monitors (full range end
model)....adds a 10" mid driver to the duals and a
BBE... clarity abounds.
Quad Driver Monitors...Think of it as the
line array of the monitor world!
The Verdict
So does a single driver work for a drummer?
I think you will be disappointed that you have no kick or
low end in your mix and the lack of clarity because it cant handle
drums and bass going thru them. Adding additional drivers doesn't
just mean more low end...it also means added clarity. If you are just looking
for isolation
and just running a click track and some instruments thru the singles you might
be alright.
Note: As far as the emails we have received on this matter....
If you bought single driver units and have blown transducers
or
you dont like the way they sound will can upgrade them for you...
contact support
at support@alienears.com or call us
at 727.346.6483
Good luck fellow drummers!